Who may keep the records of defendants charged with traffic offenses?

• A. The DPS
• B. The clerk of the court
• C. The judge
• D. The defendant

Answer: (B)

Records of defendants charged with traffic offenses are kept by the clerk of the court, who serves as the official custodian of court records. The clerk’s office handles filing, docketing, and maintaining the case files, dispositions, and related documentation for traffic matters, ensuring the records are accurate and accessible. While the Department of Public Safety maintains driver and license-related information, it does not hold the court’s official traffic-case records. The judge oversees and rules on cases but does not serve as the long-term repository for the court’s files. The defendant may have personal copies, but the official record resides with the clerk of the court.